The Richard Jackson Saga: Book: 9 Cold War

a word like accouterments?
“Well, would you go with me if I asked Mum and Dad for permission?”
“Yes I would, it will be good for my image to be seen with a hunk like you.”
Who is this monster?
“I will check, but I think it will be okay with them.”
“Okay, I’m counting on you, now I have to call my clothing people to get what I want to be shipped immediately.”
“I thought they were sending you one of everything in every color?”
“They were but the collection has expanded so much I would need several of our basements to store them.”
I gave her a stern look, has she given up the secret of our sub-basement?
“I tried to get Daddy to dig down for more room but he wouldn’t do it. Then I asked if I could have your workshop space since you are never here. They told me no since you paid for it. Would you sell it to me?”
“Squirt that addition cost almost ten thousand dollars.”
“I will pay you fifteen.”
Some battles you can’t win; some should never be fought in the first place.
“I will think about it. What are you doing with all the clothes as you grow out of them?”
“I have an arrangement with the Salvation Army. It gives me a decent tax deduction and favorable publicity. Susan Wallace helped me set it up.”
Other battles you just run like hell from the field. I told the other girls it was nice to see them and retreated from the tower.
When I related my conversation with Mary to Mum and Dad they both had a chuckle.
“We have to keep a tight rein on her, Rick; she is growing up too fast. There is nothing bad, just out of balance with other children her age. We are scared to death she may end up like other child stars.”
“On the brighter side, of course, she can go with you to the premiere. Just make sure you protect her from the press and the paparazzi.”
“I think they would need protection from her.”
“Well there is that, but you know what I mean.”
“Yes, Mum.”
Thinking of clothes, I checked on my closet to make certain I had a tux here to wear to the opening. I had shipped so much back and forth across the Atlantic I couldn’t remember what was where. It was a good thing I did check because apparently, my tuxedo was in England.
It was still early enough I was able to call The Meadows and ask Mr. Hamilton to ship it to me by air. He wondered if I should just rent one here or have another made. That took me aback for a moment, it had never occurred to me. I told him don’t bother to ship one; I would have a new one made up. It sure is nice to have money.
Not wanting to leave it to chance I called a tailor on Rodeo Drive, who had been there forever. His shop was next to a hair salon I had bought gift certificates for my office ladies last Christmas so I knew exactly how to get there. I would visit them first thing in the morning.
I got up on British time on Wednesday. It was barely daylight. It was a pleasure to take my run on the soft paths of the nature reserve. After my exercise’s I had a hearty breakfast and was good for the day.
I did stop for a few words with Ben at the stable and fed an apple to George.
I then headed out to the tailor. Mum actually let me borrow her Morgan. I must be in good standing! It was fun driving the Morgan in and out of traffic as fast as I could. If I had got a ticket it wouldn’t have been so much fun, not so much from the fine but from Mum.
As I got out of the car I heard a loud “Stop thief!”
There was a full-grown man running down the sidewalk with a purse in his hands. He was looking back. Further away a young lady was the one yelling. It didn’t take rocket science to figure out he was a purse snatcher.
I was in a perfect position. I just held my arm out and let him clothesline himself.
He hit hard and went down. It took no effort on my part, other than that I would have a sore arm tomorrow. I leaned down and rolled him onto his stomach and then knelt on his back. It was right in front of the tailor shop so the tailor came to his door to see what all the commotion was about.
I asked him to call the Police and after that, I would like to be measured for a new tuxedo. The young lady ran up and grabbed her purse. She thanked me for saving it for her.
She let out all at once that she had just arrived in town to try to break into the movies and all of her life savings were in her purse and I was her hero and she didn’t know what she would have done if I hadn’t stopped the bandit. This all came out without a breath. From the way she could yell, I think she had a future of some sort.
The Police didn’t take long to arrive and cuff the man after a quick explanation. They separated all the witnesses and took our stories. The event was so simple that all of us told of the same basic story. He grabbed her purse and ran. I stuck my arm out and brought him down then sat on him until the Police arrived. Pretty cut and dried.
The aspiring actress Lily Tomlin, who appeared to be in her early twenties, thanked me and left.
She never asked my name so I avoided the dreaded,